Schiano was rumored to be leaving for the New England Patriots defensive coordinator job.

Two big wins for the Buckeyes.

Petit-Frere because he's the best tackle prospect in the country. Schiano because, in addition to being considered one of the top defensive coaches around, was also among the nation's best recruiters this year.

Georgia finished with the No. 1 recruiting class in the 247Sports composite rankings. Ohio State was No. 2, and had a higher individual player average than Georgia, if you're looking for a way to split hairs and say the Buckeyes had the best class. It was about even.

Schiano, whose relationship with Petit-Frere goes back a few years to when Schiano was a volunteer assistant coach at Berkeley Prep in Tampa, Fla., was instrumental in helping Ohio State cap its 2018 class with a five-star prospect at a major position of need. Schiano finished No. 2 because of his hand in that recruitment.

He was also instrumental in those of four-star tight end Jeremy Ruckert, four-star center Matthew Jones, four-star safety Josh Proctor, four-star linebacker Javontae Jean-Baptiste and three-star defensive back Marcus Hooker.

Ohio State running backs coach Tony Alford finished No. 5 in this year's 247Sports recruiter rankings. That put two Buckeye assistants in the top-five of the nation's best recruiters for two years running. Last year, receivers coach Zach Smith was No. 4 and former cornerbacks coach Kerry Coombs was No. 5.